Train-coaling station.



C. C. BRACKETT.

TRAIN GOALING STATION.

APPLIOATIDN FILED sEPT.1a, 1911.

1 ,054,272. Patented Feb. 25, 1913.

B SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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WITNESSES- /NVENTOR ma www a? @M C. C. BRACKET-T.

TRAIN OOALING STATION. APPLwATIoN FILED s111 T 1a.1911.

1,054,272, Patent-,ed P81125, 1913.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WJTNESSES JNVENTo/e C. G. BRACKETT.

TRAIN COALING STATION.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT, 13, 1911. 1,054,272. Patented Feb,25,1913.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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cOLUMmA PLANOURAPN cn..wAsmNu'ruN. D. c.

C. C. BRACKETT.

TRAIN COALING STATION'. APPLIOATION FILED SEPT. 13, 1911.

1,054,272. Patented Feb.25,1913.

8 SHEETS--SHEET 4.

WTNESSES C. C. BRACKETT.

TRAIN GOALING STATION.

APPLICATION FILED sEPT.13. 1911,

w. 5. w m NW m @m I :l f m f f m I umg/@ w M e m t. F E d u M. Kw Q m a @5% mb e s Im P W @Sm ww y B M -Y hw 9m W m 5 E y N w, www@ .u w M C. C. BRACKETT.

TRAIN GOALING STATION.

APPLICATION FILED sEPT.1a,1911.

1,054,272. Patented Feb. 25, 1913.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 6. Il

WITNESSES /NVENTOR C. C. BRACKETT.

TRAIN GOALING STATION.

APPLICATION FILED s121213, 1911.

1,054,272, Patented Feb.25,1913.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

[N VENTOR e@ @wel G. G. BRAGKETT.

TRAIN GOALING STATION:

APPLICATION FILED sBPT.1s. 1911.

1,054,272, Patented Feb. 25, 1913.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

roLUMBIA PLANOORAPII C0., WASHINGTON. D, c.

CHARLES C. BRACKETT, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

TRAIN-COALING STATION.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 25, 1913.

Application led September 13, 1911. Serial No. 649,035.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, CHARLES C. BRAUK- F'r'r, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Train-Coaling Stations,

Aof which the following is a specification.

This ,invention relates to train coaling devices, and has a number of important objects, among which are the following:

To provide a mechanism which will operate automatically to load a moving locomotive or the like, without attention from an attendant or other person to insure its operation.

Since, under varying conditions of service a locomotive may require more or less coal when entering a coaling station, it is a further object to provide means whereby the quantity of coal taken may be controlled by an operator on the train with accuracy and ease.

In order that a train moving rapidly may be coaled with safety, and to avoid the danger of damage to the train in encountering and overcoming the inertia of a large quantity of coal, as would be the case if an entire load were assumed in one parcel, it is a very important object to provide for the loading of the coal in a more or less continuous charge occurring throughout a considerable movement of the train, which charge will have but small bulk and weight vat any given instant during the loading.

As will later appear, this invention is a development of the principle of overhead discharge, that is to say, where the coal is introduced to the train from directly above, although it is not absolutely essential that the discharge means be located overhead,

yand it is a most important object to effect an improvement of this type whereby a moving train may be coaled with safety.

It is another object of my invention to provide a loading station mechanism adapted to be controlled from the train, and the operation of which will not subject the train to the effect of undue forces tending to disturb its equilibrium.

safety of the train correspondingly increased.

Another object is to provide means whereby two locomotives running tandem may each coal at the same station, each taking the same or different quantities of coal, as needed, without interference, one with the other.

Another object is to provide such a mechanism which may be utilized with trains running in either direction on a single track.

Since the law prescribes a minimum clearance or space transversely of and above railway track, it is an important object to provide a device which is adapted to be constructed in accordance with such requirements.

It is another aim to avoid the necessity for signals between the t'ain and coaling station for the proper operation of the device.

An end attained by this invention is the coaling of a train moving at high speed, which is a great advantage in the case of mail, express, and passenger trains.

In the present embodiment of my invention, I utilize a tripper device arranged on the train to engage a portion of the mechanism of the coaling station, this mechanism being adapted to operate somewhat in advance of the portion of the train into which the coal is to be loaded, and coperating therewith there is a chute device arranged to engage the coal and insure its proper entrance to the train. These devices are movable, and it is an important object to provide means whereby the trip mechanism may be thrown into inoperative position, while the chute device remains in operative position, both elements, however', being cooperative in their movementinto operative position.

A further important object is to provide a novel and desirable construction for accelerating the action of the discharge device whereby the ready movement of coal therefrom will not be impeded.

It is an object to provide novel means for placing the coaling station in initial operative condition.

It is also an object to provide novel means for charging the station with coal.

It will be understood that changes in the construction shown and described may be made within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit of the invention, and additional objects to those above stated will be apparent from the following description, and from the drawings, in which latter- Figure 1 is a fragmentary side view of a coaling station constructed in accordance with my invention, taken adjacent one end, being partly in section, and showing the tender of a train equipped with the necessary part-s of my invention in engagement with the station. Fig. 2 is a cross section of the station on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detail side view of the tender and part of the coal discharging mechanism of the station in operation. Fig. 11 is an end view of the tender and a fragmentary view of the coaling station, showing the coal discharging mechanism in operation, Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view of the tender with the tripper mechanism in folded position, Fig. 6 is a top view of the tender with the trip mechanism in operative position, Fig. 7 is a bottom view of the trap device, Fig. 8 is a top view of the station bin or trough, Fig. 9 is a detail view of the charging car, and part of the trough and trap in operative relation, Fig. 10 is a fragmentary cross section of the trough, showing the setting mechanism in operation, to close the trap, Fig. 11 is a similar view of the trough with the trap in open or discharged position, Fig. 12 is a detail rear view ofV the trip mechanism in elevated inoperative position, Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the station.

There is shown a section of main line single railway track 20, built over which there is a coaling station of suitable construction beneath which a train may pass freely with the legally required clearance at the sides and above. The particular construction illust-rated comprises a series of steel columns or piers 21 iixed in concrete, supporting a suitably housed framework at its upper part. It should be noted that the construction includes heavy chords 22 extending' transversely of the track between the columns 21, trussed with the rafters 23 connected thereto by the diagonal ties 24. This construction is made particularly heavy for the reason that the coal sto-rage and discharge mechanism is suspended centrally from the beam 22, as will appear.

Extending downwardly from the beam 22 there are vertical beams 25 equi-spaced from a vertical medial line of the structure, and carried at the lower end of each beam 25 there are stub beams 26 projecting a slight distance inwardly of respective beams 25, and having their outer ends connected to respective columns 21, one rail of a track 2'1" being carried upon the projecting ends of the stubs at each side. The outer portions of the stubs 26 between the beams 25 and columns are covered with platforms 28 at each side of the station, whereon an attendant may safely walk in inspecting and tending the mechanism. The inner ends of the stub beams 26 are spaced apart a suitable distance and carry vertical parallel bin or trough walls 29, a trough 30 thus being` formed therebetween extending throughout the length of the station the walls extending above the beams and being inclined outwardly at their upper edge portion, if desired. The walls are preferably of heavy sheetiron, so that the trap and trigger mechanism to be described may be adequately supported. The trough is provided with a transversely articulated bottom comprising a series of trap doors 3l arranged in opposed pairs throughout the length of the trough, each pair extending approximately two feet longitudinally of the tro-ugh as shown, though the length may be varied as desired. The doors are hinged at their outer edges to the lower edge of the respective walls v29, so that the lateral edges of opposite doors lie in alinement, and their adjacent edges abut snugly when the doors lie in horizontal position and a continuous iioor is presented throughout the length of the tro-ugh. An operating yoke 33, of Yeshape is engaged with each door, the arms of the yoke extending transversely across the lower side of the door, and t-he stem extending outwardly beyond the sides of the trough and carrying a suitable weight 34 adapted to balance the doors and maintain them noi'- mally yieldably in closed position. Attached pivotally` to the upper sides of the doors adjacent their inner edges there are latch sectors 35, extending approximately concentrically with the pivotal axis of the doors, being carried through suitable slots 35 in the sides of the trough, and extending outwardly a considerable distance through the walls 29. It will be observed thatthe slots 35 are sufliciently large to allow some vertical oscillation of the sectors therein, and on the lower sides of the sectors there are formed latch teeth 36 arranged to engage against the sides of the walls 29 below the slot-s 35 when the doors are in closed position, so as to hold the doors against opening movement until the sector is raised. The raising of the sectors for release of the doors is accomplished by means of triggers 37, one of which is provided for each sector. The trigger comprises a flat plate of heavy sheet metal having a segment-al head 38 and an elongated pendant stem 39, the trigger being pivoted upon the outer side of the wall of the trough, with the stem pendant below t-he bin, the arc of the upper edge portion of t-he head being of greater radius than the distance between the central part of the upper edge and the pivotal point of the trigger. The central edge portion mentioned is normally placed in close spaced relation 'to the under edge of the latch sector so that pivotal movement of the trigger will bring the outer edge portio-n into engagement with the sector, lifting it for passage of the tooth 36 freely through the slot 35. If desired, a suitable housing 40 may be attached to the sides of the trough to inclose the sectors t-herewithn so that operation of the doors will not be clogged by the wedging of coal against the sectors, although it maybe found possible to do without such housing. As shown the housing is open for a short distance on its extreme upper edge, and the sector is provided with an upwardly projecting tooth 4l arranged to be engaged on its inner-.edge by a fender device 42 carried upon a distributer car subsequently described, the engagement of the fender device against the tooth forcing the doors firmly upward into closed position and carrying` the latch Vtooth 36 outwardly for positive engagement against the side of the trough. The stem of each yoke 33 is provided inwardly of the weight 34 with a downwardly Vextending arm 43 and engaged commonly through the arms at respective sides of the trough there are two cables 44, stretched between the ends of the trough, being inclined upwardly a slight distance beyond each end of the trough and attached to the framework of the stat-ion, as shown. These cables are intended to be engaged by accelerator elements on the train to be loaded, as will be described, and whereby after operation of the sectors for release of the doors, the cables are rapidly forced upwardly, and the doors progressively forced to open position with rapidity, without depending upon the action of gravity entirely. For bracing the sides of the trough, tubes 47 are extended therebetween in alinement with the edges of the doors, within which tubes suitable tie rods 48 are engaged between the sides of the trough in a suitable manner. The trough is closed at each end by suitable plates 49, and if advisable similar plates 49 may be extended across the trough, spaced throughout its length between the doors, so that in the event that it is necessary for a train to cease taking coal at av point int-ermediately of the length of a station, when the trolley device is lowered from engagement with the triggers coal from over the doors in advance of those last opened will not continue to Slough off and fall after passage of the coal receiving portion of the train, as might ot-herwise be the case. The use of such partitions is indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3 and is not an essential element of the construction.

In Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, and in Fig. l2, the equipment of a train for coperation with the above described station is illustrated, and shows a tender 50 of usual construction, upon which are mounted the longitudinally extending transversely spaced and vertically disposed heavy bridge plates 51, having their lower intermediate portions cut away as at 59,. These bridge plates are mounted a spaced distance inwardly of the outer sides of the tender, preferably in a plane with the inner sides of the coal bunker space within the tender, outwardly of which the water tank is ordinarily formed, with the inclined top portion 53, as shown. The intermediate upper edge portions of the bridge plates for the greater part of their length are inclined outwardly as shown, and being spaced some distance above the upper edge of the bunker are useful to deect coal into the bunker when loading. The bridge plates are provided at each end with ears 54, and mounted between the ears at the forward end of the tender there is a shaft 55, upon which there is supported for pivotal movement the trolley frame 5G, comprising two side arms 57 connected by suitable cross stays 57', each arm having a downwardly extended rearwardly curved portion 58 at the extremity of which there is mounted a double sheave pulley 5S for a purpose to be indicated.

The arms 57 are provided with guide chan- Y nels 57n slidable in which are the standards 59 of a trolley head frame (30 connected by the tie 6l whereby it is rigidly braced. Carried by the upper brace rods 57 of the trolley frame there is a vertically and transversely disposed plate 62 upon which there is pivotcd an eccentric member 63 having the lateral operating arm 64C projecting transversely of the frame, and to respective sides of the eccentric member there are pivotally connected the bolts 65 the outer ends of which are engaged through suitable slots in respective adjacent guideways in the trolley frame to engage beneath the trolley head standards 59 to hold the head normally at the upper outer limit of its movement. The arm (-l of the eccentric member is engaged by a spring 66, holding the eccentric member normally in such position as to retain the bolts in engagedposition beneath the standards 59. It will be understood that the members 57 of the trolley frame may be revoluble on the shaft 55, or splined thereto and the shaft made revoluble. The latter construction is preferable for the rigidity of the frame. Pivotally engaged on the shaft intermediately of the members 57 there is a drop lever G7 connected outwardly of the shaft by a link G8 to the control arm 64 whereby, upon depression of the level', the arms (ist will be operated to withdraw the bolts from beneath the standards of the trolley head, whereby it will be allowed to fall in the guide ways. 'lhe lever is provided with a hinge intermediately of its length whereby it may be folded inwardly so as not to project forwardly to interfere with the movements of the fireman when the lever is not to be operated. Pivoted upon the plates 51 rearwardly of the shaft 55 there are links 69, the upper ends of which are rovided with the longitudinally extending slots 70 at their upper ends receiving slidably therein the inwardly projecting trunnion 71 carried upon the inner sides of the. respective uprights o-f the trolley head.: rfhus, when the lever 67 is operated to re-` lease the trolley head, it falls only part way down when the'trunnions 71 engage the lower ends of the slots and check the fall of the trolley head. Pivoted at the rear end of the bridge plates 51 there is a chute device 72 extending the full width of the spacei between the plates and having upturned side edges, being pivoted a shortdistance above its lower end and Vbeing adapted to extend to a height a little less than that o-f the trolley when in operative position. The chute 72 is pivoted upon a transverse shaft 73 eX- tending between the bridge plates, and at its lower end is connected by means of a cable 74 to one endv of a piston rod 75 carried by the piston 75 reciprocable in the cylinder 76 mounted on the outer side of each bridge plate. Any suitable means may -be provided to admit fluid power medium such as compressed air, to theV cylinder, for reciprocation of the piston. The upper end of the. chute 72 is connected by means of the cable 7 7 to the anchorage 7 7 on the bridge plate adjacent the lower end of the trolley frame. A triple sheave pulley 78 is mounted upon the bridge plate, a short distance inwardly of the pulley 58 on the lower end of the trolley frame when in upright position, and` the cable 77 is coengaged in a proper man! ner around the adjacent pulleys whereby with the trolley frame in inoperative foldedI position as in Fig. 5, and the chute member folded inward also, upon admission of air to the cylinder for draft upon the cable 74 the chute will be raised and the trolley frame also elevated, both into proper operative position. AIt. will be noted that the stroke of the Apiston is just sufficient inA length to accomplish the movement'neces-r sary, but the relative length of the cylinder;

' vma be varied and ro er corres o-ndin 'v modification of the connections made if de-l sired. As it is desirable for the chute to incline rearwardly a considerable distance, and the trolley frame is only to be elevated to vertical position, the movement of the latter is less than that of the chute. It'will be noted that the piston rod 75 extends an` equal distance on each side of the piston, and is properly engaged through each end` of the cylinder, its forward end being'con nected by a cable 7 52 to the lower portion of the trolley frame above its pivotal point, whereby upon operation of the piston in a.

direction the reverse of that before mentioned, the devices will be forced into folded position. It should be noted that by the pivoting of the check links 69 upon the bridge plates 51 a distance rearwardly of the pivotal point of the trolley frame corresponding to the distance which the trolley head falls when released by the lever 67, when the device is operated to bring the parts into folded position, the link will force the trolley head outwardly to its normal operative position on the trolley frame, allowing the bolts to snap into place inwardly of the inner ends of the standards 59 under action of the spring 66. The resetting of the trolley head is thus accomplished automatically by the folding of the apparat-us. The trolley head carries a pivotedtripper frame projecting forwardly therefrom, comprising arms 79 pivoted between the members 59 of the trolley head and normally-when set in operative position-projecting forwardly and upwardly, being braced by a web 8O of sheet metal, which at the same time serves as a chute at the forward side of the device as will be subsequently described. At their forward ends there is mounted a roller member 81 extending transversely between the arms and adapted when in normal operative position to engage the lower ends of the triggers 39. Lever members 82 are pivoted at respective sides of the trolley frame above the trunnions 71, the rearmost ends of the levers beingl connected by links 82 with respective adjacent bridge plates at points rearward of the levers 35, and the forward ends of the levers S2 are connected by suitable links 80 with the respective arms 79. By this connection, when the drop lever 67 is operated, and the trolley head drops, the tripper falls to the position indicated in Fig. 12, and when the device is folded, the tripper lies snugly disposed upon the trolley device. The arms of the trolley head project some distance above the tripper frame, where they are `provided' each with a forked head S3 carrying a transverse roller 84 disposed so as to bear forcibly upward against the cable 44 immediately after the tripper has engaged the triggers. Each of the heads 83 is provided with a laterally extending pair of ears on its outer side between which there are mounted revoluble fender rollers 85, arranged to engage al fender rail 86 extending throughout the length of the station, and normally spaced a distance outwardly of the rollers 85, being suitably bracketed on the frame work of the station and adapted to be engaged the rollers 85 should the train sway from side to side while passing through. The heavy construction of the trolley frame and the meth od of its mounting are calculated to check the swaying of the tender or other part of the train carrying the trolley.

A train being equipped with the necessary parts of my invention, and approaching a station such as described, to be loaded,

should preferably enter the station at a' speed of about 2O miles an hour, the trolley device having been previously raised by admission of air or steam to the proper side thereof, and it will be seen that no matter in which direction the train approaches, the tripper frame will engage and operate the triggers slightly in advance of the tender, and as it requires an appreciable time for the coal to fall the distance from the trough to the tender, the latter will be in position at the proper time to receive the coal, by reason of its rapid forward movement. It will be seen, however, that should the train Y be moving very slowly, and the coal should tend to fall before the bunker portion of the tender arrives in proper position, the web plate between the arms 7 9 will act as a chute to fend or guide the coal rearwardly into the bunker. Immediately after the tripper has moved the triggers, the arms 43 are borne forcibly upward by the trolley rollers 84, by reason o-f the engagement of the latter with the cables 44 passing through the arms, the

arms themselves finally passing over the rollers, whereby the trap doors of the trough are rapidly opened.

If it is necessary for two engines to coal from the same station in succession, even if running tandem in the same train, they may both enter the station with their trolleys erect, and while the second engine will not receive coal while the first is loading, as soon as the necessary amount has been taken by the first, and the trolley head thereon is dropped, the second engine may receive coal from the remaining portion of the trough. This is made possible by the rapid return of the trap doors to normal position immediately after being relieved of the weight of the coal, under action of the weight 34, whereby the doors are moved out of the path of the second engine trolley. If found more desirable, the second engine trolley may be raised after the first has been dropped, whereby operation of the empty trough doors will be avoided. It will be apparent that immediately after a train has coaled while assing in one direction, another may be coa ed while moving in the opposite direction. It is only necessary for a train to enter the station with trolley device set, and the co-aling operation will occur without further attention.

WVhen the trough has been partly, or completely, emptied, it is to be refilled by the distributing car 90, the body of which may loe approximately the same as that of the ordinary coal car, mounted upon a motor driven truck 91, having the motor mounted at its rear end as at 92, the bottom of the car body being hopper or funnel-shaped and best adapted for discharge of coal toward the rear. The truck 91 travels upon the trackway 27 before described, and the hopper portion ofthe car is projected slightly into the trough 30. It should be noted that the rear side of this hopper is extended farther downward than the forward side, and a short spout 822l is projected forwardly from the opening thus formed, the spout stopping short of the doors of the trough a proper distance, to allow the deposit of coal to a depth of-saymone foot, though this depth may be varied as found desirable. rlhe mouth of the spout is provided with a vertically movable cylinder-segment door 93, operable by levers 93 extended therefrom on each side of the spout and pivoted concentrically of the door, the levers projecting beyond the pivotal point and being operable by a lever 95 at one end of the car which is connected to the levers 93 in a suitable manner, as by the link and bell crank connection 96, shown. the rear of the car, and adjacent the forward end there is carried a trap-closing device in the form of a bow spring 42 having its forward and rear ends inclined inwardly and its central portion adapted to bear against the sides of the trough, or nearly so, so that in its passage through the trough, the teeth 4l upon the upper sides of the latch sectors will be engaged by the spring and forced outwardly for complete and secure positioning of the trap doors in closed order. Thus in case the doors are impeded in their closing movement by coal, the spring device 42 will insure their proper disposal in position to support coal. l/Vhen the trough is to be filled, the car 90 is started from that end of the station toward the rear end of the car, and moved forward with the door 93 open sufficiently wide to discharge coal to a proper depth upon the closed doors of the trougn as the car moves. As the car moves forward of course, the spring 42 will close the doors in advance of the deposit of coal thereon.

' It will be seen from the foregoing that a loading device is provided which is adapted to operate with a minimum liability of damage either to the station or to the train, which is operable with a minimum amount of attention from attendants, and the station of which is adapted to be maintained in readiness for service in a very simple manner. The discharge device, comprising the' trough and trap arrangement will discharge coal with a minimum tendency for particles to lag in falling from the bin, so that the important desideratum of cleanliness is attained.

It should be noted that in the event that the trolley device becomes broken or inoperative for some reason, the train may be moved slowly beneath the station, while a fireman or other person strikes the triggers The lever 95 is preferably at' with av shovel or other suitable instrument, whereby the coal may be discharged from the statio-n into the train. A train not having the trolley may be coaled in the same way.

It is important to note that the provision of the opposed sets of doors effects a considerable improvement in the operation of the device over the use of a single set of doors at one side, in increasing the rapidity of the discharge of coal, which it is believed will be obvious.

T he use of two transversely spaced rollers for accelerating the opening of the doors where one continuous roller is used for the tripper, is necessitated by the opening action of thedoors themselves, as will be obvious. The tripper will ordinarily have passed from under the doors before the coal passes so far, but if they should not, are too low down to be engaged by the door.

It will be understood that in the claims linearly arranged may be understood to mean arranged in a line, or extending in an elongated form. The complete set of doors on the trough operating asv one charging station may be' termed a trap, an articulated trapor articulated closure, and in connection with the latch means and triggers comprise a coal discharge means or device trigger operated, released, or controlled. The tender may be broadly termed a carrier, and the trolley device latches and triggers are referredvto as means coacting between the carrier and coal discharge device for operation of the latter.

It will be understood that the shape of the doors may be varied as desired', and other formsof doors employed, within the scope of the claims, as found most advisable.

It is an important advantage of the device that a train may be loaded with any desired quantity of coal within the capacity of the station, and the engineer is not compelled to take more than is required.. Nor is there likelihood of an insufficient quantity being taken if the station is of proper size and kept properly charged.

In Fig. 13 a method is indicated for loading" the distributer car and for elevating coal to the station, although this method may be varied as found desirable. A large storage bin is shown adapted to carry a large stock of coal under cover for discharge by gravity into the distributer car, the bin being filled by an endless conveyer the lower portion of which engages coal dumped directly from cars into a suitable bin. The large storage bin above the station may be eliminated however, and the conveyer allowed to discharge directly into the distributer car if desired.

The various instrumentalities or mechanisms for the several functions of the station and tender described in the specification are, in each case, simply an embodiment of one practicable mechanism for the purpose, and it will be obvious to those versed in the art that the ends of the invention as eX- pressed in some of my claims would be attainable with widely diferent instrumentalities, so long as they are arranged in similar relation and effect a similar result respectively; but -I also claim as my invention certain specific construction, as will be set forth in other claims.

The term means, with qualifying words, is used as the best phraseology known to the applicant for indicating a means to an end wit-hout needless limitation to structural peculiarity, and is intended to indicate anything adapted to accomplish the result of the operation of such elements described in the specification, as may be indicated by the term in the claims, whether of similar construction or different-operating similarly or otherwise.

Vhat is claimed is:

1. A train loading mechanism comprising a charging station including a track, a coal containing device disposed thereabove and having a discharge opening extending longitudinally of the track and disposed theretoward, a closure having a multiplicity of opening, a carrier element traveling the track, and means operative between the carrier and the closure for opening of the closure articulately and progressively under' movement of the carrier at times when said carrier passes through the station.

2. In a train loading mechanism, a track, a multiplicity of discharge devices arranged longitudinally thereof in close relation and adapted individually to discharge charges of material toward the track, a carrier element movable upon the track, and means adapted' to coact between the carrier and discharge devices to 'operate the latter in immediate succession progressively with and under movement of the carrier theretoward, at times.

3. In a train loading mechanism, a track, 'a multiplicity of discharge devices arranged longitudinally thereof in close abutting re-' lation and adapted individually to project fractional carrier charges of material in' a given direction over the track, such charges being of small inertia, a carrier element movable upon the track, and' means adapted to coact between the carrier and discharge devices under movement of the carrier in a predetermined relation to the position of the carrier with respect to the discharge devices for the assumption of a complete charge in fractional bulk throughout an extended movement of the carrier.

4L. A coaling station including a plurality of coal discharging elements in lineal ar rangement, a carrier movable longitudinally of the station and means on the carrier adapted to engage a portion of the discharging elements consecutively with and under movement of the carrier, for operation of the discharging elements and loading of the carrier in motion. Y Y

5. In a device of the class described, an elongated trough member havingan open bottom, a series of longitudinally arranged doors pivoted laterally of the trough Vandl adapted to lie across the bottom of the trough, respective means for holding the doors in closed position, devices constructed and arranged to release respective latches, a movable carrier and means cooperative between the door holding means and carrierunder movement of the carrier-to open the doors progressively with movement of the carrier, for the purposes described.

6. A device of the class described comprising a station including an elongated trough having an open bottom, a multiplicity of movable doors arranged to lie across the bottom of the trough, for closure thereof at times, means for securing the doors in closed position, individual means for release of the doors, including a trigger element; and a carrier element movable longitudinally beneath the trough, and means thereon to engage the triggers progressively under movement of the carrier for the purposes described.

7. A device of the class described comprising an elongated trough having an open bottom, a multiplicity of doors pivoted laterally thereof and adapted to be folded thereunder for closure of the trough, a sector device pivoted on each door spaced from the pivotal axis of the door toward its free edge, means engaging the sectors releasably to hold the doors in closed position, trigger means for releasing the sectors for opening of the doors at times, a carrier element movable longitudinally of the trough, and means thereon for engaging the triggers progressively with movement of the carrier, for the the purpose described.

8. A device of the class described comprising an elongated trough having on open bottom, a multiplicity of trap closure elements for closure of the bottom thereof, trigger released means for holding the trapelements in closed position, laterally projected arms carried by the traps, a carrier element including a trigger element for engagement of the triggers and means to engage the arms` for accelerated opening of the traps.

9. A device of the class described comprising an elongated trough having an open bottom, a multiplicity of trap closure elements for closure of the-bottom thereof, releasable means for holding the trap elements in closed position, laterally projected arms carried' by the traps, a carrier element including a device for engagement of the releasable means and means to engage the arms for accelerated opening of the traps.

l0. A device of the class described comprising an elongated trough having an open bottom, a multiplicity of trap closure devices, means for holding thc traps releasably in yclosed position, including a trigger portion, an element projected laterally from each trap, a train element and means thereon adapted to engage the triggers and the laterally projected portions on the doors for release of the doors and opening thereof.

11. A device of the `class described comprising an elongated trough, a multiplicity of trap closures at the bottom thereof, trigger released means for holding the traps in closed position, opening members engaged with the traps, a carrier movable longitudinally beneath the trough, and a device thereon adapted to engage the triggers progressively with movement of the carrier, means to engage the opening members progressively in respective immediate vsuccession to the triggers for the purposes described. 12. A device of the class described, comprising an elongated open bottom trough, a multiplicity of doors pivoted laterally thereof and adapted to lie in position across the bottom of the trough for closure thereof, trigger' released means forholding the doors in closed position, laterally projected arms carried by the doors, a continuous flexible element concatenating thearms, and a train element adapted for movement longitudinally of the trough constructed and arranged to engage the triggers for release of the doors and means thereon adapted to bear against said flexible elementv for accelerated opening of the doors. Y

13. A device of the class described coinprising an elongated trough element, a mul-- tiplicity of doors pivoted laterally thereof and adapted to lie across the bottom of the trough for closure thereof, a stationary element having an aperture therethrough intermediately of each door, latch sectors pivoted upon the inner portion of the doors and engaged slidably through said apertures,said sectors having teeth thereon adapted to engage the edges of the openings when the doors are in closed position for retention of the doors in closed position releasably, a trigger device pivoted upc-n the trough interinediately of the length of each door, and having cani edges adapted to bear against the sectors for release thereof from engagement with the edges of the openings when the triggers are oscillated, said triggers including projecting portions, and a train clement movable longitudinally of the trough and adapted to engage the triggers progressively for the purpose described.

14. A device of the class described comprising an elongated trough having an open bottom, a multiplicity of doors pivoted laterally thereof and arranged longitudinally of the trough and adapted to swing thereacross for closure of the trough, said doors abutting snugly at their longitudinally adjacent edges to form a continuous bottom for the trough, trigger released means for holding the doors in closed position, a carrier element movable longitudinally of the trough and means thereon adapted to engage the triggers progressively for the purpose described.

15.A device of the class described comprising an elongatedtrough and articulated trap closure means for the bottom thereof.l including a multiplicity of trigger elements for opening thereof progressively, a carrier element, a tripper device thereon adapted for progressive engagement With the triggers. when moved longitudinally of the trough and being movable into and out of operative position, means for holding the tripper element releasably in operative position, and means for releasing the tripper from operative position when intermediately of the length of the trough, 'for the purposes` described.

16. A device of the class described comprising a station element including coal containing means and trigger released discharge mechanism, a train element movable beneath the stat-ion and including a. trolley traine pivoted for movement into and out of operative position, a tripper element reciprocable on the trolley frame, a spring actuated detent for holding the tripper element in operative position and means for moving the detent to release vthe tripper, said tripper being adapted to engage the triggers under movement of the train element longitudinally of the trough.

17. A device of the class described comprising a station including a coal container means and trigger controlled discharge mechanism, a train element movable past the station and comprising a support, a trolley frame mounted thereon for pivotal movement into and out of operative position, a longitudinally slidable elementthereon, a movable detent for holding said slidable element at the outer limit oi its movement, means for disengaging the detent, means to check invvard movement of the slidable element, a tripper device pivoted on the slidable element, a lever pivoted on said trolley frame, link connections between the tripper and the adjacent end of said lever and link connections between the opposite end of the lever and said support, whereby the tripper device is maintained in elevated position to engage said triggers when said slidable element is at the outer limit of its movement.

18. A device of the class described coniprising a station including a coal containing means and trigger released coal discharging mechanism, a train element movable beneath `the station and including a support, a trolley frame pivoted thereon, a longitudinally slidable element on the frame having means' for engaging said triggers when at the outer limit of its movement and with the frame in .elevated position, releasable mea-ns for holding said slidable element at the outer limitA oi its movement, projections on the slidable element, linkqnembers having slots therein receiving the projections to limit the movevment of the slidable element, said levers being pivoted upon the support a distance from the trolley frame corresponding to the length of the slots, said slidable element being adapted to fall to bring the projections to the inner limit of their movement when released by said releasable means, said trolley frame being adapted to be folded pivot-- ally downward in the direction of the links for engagement of the inner ends of the slots against the projections on the slidable element and movement of the slidable ele- I ment to the outer limit of its movement.

longitudinally'thereof for actuation of respective unit portions of the discharge means, a carrier movable longitudinally oi the discharge means, a trolley frame mounted for pivotal movement thereon, means for raising and lowering the frame, a trolley head carried reciprocably by the frame, for vertical movement at. times when the frame is elevated, means for moving the head to the outer limit of its movement, means for holding the head releasably at the outer limit of its movement, a tripper carried thereby for engagement With the triggers and a means on the head for engaging the operating members ot' the discharge means in succession to operate the trigger, for discharge for respective unit portions of the discharge means, a carrier movable longitudinally of the discharge means, a trolley frame thereon, a head reciprocable thereon vertically, a member pivoted on the frame and having a lateral arm, a spring engaged with the mei'nber to hold it yieldably at one limit of. its movement, means for moving` the member against the action of the spring and bolt members connected eccentrically to the member and adapted to normally engage inwardly of t-he said head to hold it releasably at the outer limit of its movement.

22. In a device of the class described the combination with an elongated coal discharging device including a trough coal container, ot' a discharging car having a spout portion inclined a spaced distance into the trough and opening oppositely ot' the direction of movement of the car in charging the trough, and closure means for the spout operable at will.

28. In a device of the class described, the combination of a coal discharging device of the class described including' a trough, a trackway thereover, a charging car traveling the trackway, said car having a hopper bottom and a spout projected therefrom a spaced distance from the bottom oit the trough and having an opening presented in the trough, a closure for the opening, and means for moving the car for spreading of material therefrom in the trough.

Q4. In a device ot' the class described, the combination otl a coal discharging device including an elongated trough and a charging member movable longitudinally thereof, closure devices for the trough having movable members projecting into the path of a portion of the charging member and movable laterally thereof for closing operation of the closure devices, and means on the charging member to engage the movable members under movement in charging the discharge device, for closure ot the trough in advance ot' charging.

25. A device of the class described, comprising a station element including coal containing .means and trigger released discharge mechanism, a carrier element movable beneath the discharge element, a trolley frame carried thereon toward its forward part, and having means for engaging the triggers for operation ot' the discharge mechanism, a chute device pivoted a spaced distance rearwardly of the trolley on the carrier, the chute and carrier having portions projecting on each side of their pivotal points, crossed connections between the chute and trolley on opposite sides ot' their pivotal points and a power medium for moving the trolley and chute cooperatively into and out of operative position.

26. A device of the class described comprising a station, including a coal retaining means and trigger operated discharge mechanism, a train element movable beneath the station, a trolley element pivoted thereon for elevat-ion to engage the triggers, a chute member pivoted rearwardly ot the trolley, the trolley and chute each having portions projecting on each side of their pivotal points, said chute and trolley being adapted to lie at times in lowered folded position, a

the chute and trolley for common action of' each upon operation of one by the power element.

2T. In a device of the class described, a station comprising an elongated coal containing means and a nmltiplicity of trigger released discharge elements, opening members connected with the discharge element, a carrier element movable beneath the station ot the trough, a trolley frame pivoted thereon, a trolley head slidable on the frame, a forwardly projected tripper element on the head adapted to engage the trigger means for release of the discharge elements, and an accelerator element on the head adapted to engage said opening members after operation ot' respective triggers for operation of the discharge l'nechanism, and means for lowering` said trolley head.

28. In a device ot' the class described, the combination with a station comprising a track, a multiplicity ot' discharge elements arranged longitudinally thereover, trigger released means for the discharge elements, and operating members carried by the discharge elements, a carrier, a trolley member thereon, a trolley head reciprocable thereon, releasable means for holding the head at the outer limit ot its movement, a tripper device carried by the head for engagement with the triggers and separate means thereon for engaging the operating members for the purpose described.

29. In a device of the class described, an overhead trigger released discharge means, a carrier movable thereunder, a tripper device on the carrier movable to engage the triggers and including a chute portion adapted for movement with the tripper into position to engage material discharged thereon for tending the same into the carrler.

30. lIn a device of the class described, an overhead trigger released discharge means having parallel series of triggers, a carrier movable longitudinally thereunder, a tripper device thereon movable into position to engage the triggers of each series and including a bracing web comprising a chute 4adapted to engage coal discharged thereonto ttor tending of such coal into the carrier.

31. A device for loading trains with coal comprising a track, coal container means longitudinally thereadjacent, coal discharge means associated therewith and operable within a unit distance progressively longitudinally of the track, a carrier movable on the track, and means to operate the discharge means progressively with movement of the carrier.

32. In a device of the class described, a trough element comprising sides, a multiplicity of door elements mounted to move .into closed position therebetween to form a continuous bottom for the trough, a track extending in longitudinal spaced relation With the trough and therebeneath, a carrier element movable upon the track means for individually opening the doors, and means on the carrier element adapted to engage the door opening means progressively with movement of the carrier.

33. In a device of the class described, a trough element comprising two opposed sides, a multiplicity of doors pivoted thereadjacent on axes parallel to theV sides and normally folded across the space between the sides to form the bottom of the trough,

and being adapted to open downwardly and CHARLES C. BRACKETT.

fitnesses FLOYD W. TRUMBO, Jnssin A. BBACKETT.

Copies of this patent may 'be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

